Califone - Slowness

Fourteen years. That’s how long it’s been since Califone released their behemoth Quicksand/Cradlesnakes. To honor its release, a deluxe reissue is coming out today. You’ll find eight extra tracks on there, and you can order it from the Secretly Canadian store. Great tracks are unearthed on there, including “Slowness.”

The extra song is simply open and minimalist while giving respectful nods as each instrument introduces itself. It’s this environment that allows Tim Rutili’s words to breathe and stretch themselves as much as the music does.

These are words that are strikingly visual and intimate, delivered with a raspy timbre that speaks of metaphorical visions. A few quirky strings and plucks stand just a tad in front of an occasional bassline, plodding beats, and auxiliary instruments. “Slowness” almost reaches a fevered momentum, but for this track, it wouldn’t take much to be considered as such.

Califone albums construct a broader, bigger picture, so it’s not surprising when “Slowness” only adds to this truth.